Pitchside View

DAN WESTON is the inaugural monthly winner of the Nationwide Mutual Respect award. The award, part of The Football Association's Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive. This brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players under 18, coaches, teams, parents and referees.

Dan, 36, a junior football coach for Peacehaven and Telscombe FC, said: "It is an absolute thrill to win this Nationwide Mutual Respect Award and I will share it with all the people at our football club." “I believe community football clubs have never been more important to bring people together and help each other through these challenging times." Chris Hull, Ambassador for Nationwide’s Mutual Respect Award, said: "Nominations for Dan were absolutely glowing. He has been coaching the children in his team from a young age and has one hundred percent commitment to their football development as well as their wellbeing and social skills."

"During the lockdowns he has done all training via Zoom. "He awards a player a week for ‘Zoom trainer of the week’ and leaves a trophy on their doorstep.” "What also impressed the panel greatly is that Dan goes above and beyond the call of duty for his community. He also runs the ‘Peacehaven boot locker’ where he collects second hand football boots and equipment, to enable struggling families to access items they aren’t able to buy brand new." “Dan also volunteers for the football club including helping the local 'feed our children and families’ initiative.” “He is a tremendous example of the power of mutual respect for each other in our communities plus how important and central a thriving local football club can be to the people in its area.” Club chair Sue Norwood said: "We are all so proud of Dan and he is so worthy of winning this award. He goes above and beyond and has the club at his heart. The children love him, he is amazing." As well as a trophy, Dan also wins tickets to an upcoming England game, once fans are allowed back into stadiums. For more information about Peacehaven & Telscombe FC go to www.peacehavenfootball.com on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Picture Left: Dan Weston with the Mutual Respect 2021 award

Volunteer car driver charity, Havens Community Cars, has reached three milestones this week

Taking on their 25�� Volunteer Driver and welcoming their 200�� member, the charity was also delighted to receive an anonymous £500 donation to their 'Fuel Injection' fundraising campaign, taking them smashing through their initial £1000 target.

Launched in 2020 to meet an unmet community need for journeys, the charity has seen demand for their services dramatically increase to support the coronavirus vaccination programme.

The charity has launched an appeal called 'Fuel Injection'. Inspired by the Brighton based 'Cabs 4 Jabs' campaign, the appeal will part-fund taxi journeys for people (unable to use public transport) when the Havens Community Cars volunteer drivers are fully booked.

Chair of Trustees, Paula Woolven, said "the demand for our services skyrocketed in January when the first injections were given to those over 80 - many of whom did not have the mobility to use public transport and who had no other options to get to the centres in Brighton or Eastbourne. The only other Community Transport organisation in the District offering transport support, is the CTLA. We are now attempting to fit in as many clients as we can with our amazing volunteer car drivers."

Details of the 'Fuel Injection' fundraising campaign can be found at: https://localgiving.org/appeal/fuelinjection/

Volunteer drivers receive full training, PPE equipment and fuel expenses and new driver enquiries are always welcome. Email havenscommcar@gmail.com or call 01273 918226.